semester

1 of 2

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈme-stər 

1

: either of the two usually 18-week periods of instruction into which an academic year is often divided

2

: a period of six months

semestral

sə-ˈme-strəl 

adjective

or semestrial

sə-ˈme-strē-əl 

semestral

2 of 2

adjective

se·​mes·​tral -strəl 

variants or semestrial

-ˌtrēəl 

: occurring every six months or within a period of six months : of or relating to a six-month period

Examples of semester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For example, students at the New Media Academy complete a presentation at the end of each semester in which industry professionals serve as judges. — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Comparing trends in recent years, Marti placed the first semester of 2026 on par with the first half of 2023, which had previously marked the strongest start to a year since cinemas reopened following the pandemic. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 July 2026

Hailey put that mindset into action through California’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school students to take college courses as early as their freshman year and earn up to 11 credits per semester. — Ronnie Li, USA Today, 10 July 2026

The Circle City readers tutoring program will receive $600,000 to fund another semester. — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German, from Latin semestris half-yearly, from sex six + mensis month — more at six, moon

Adjective

Latin semestris half-yearly + English -al or -ial

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing semester

• semester hour

Rhymes for semester

• ancestor
• arrester
• digester
• investor
• protester
• requester
• sequester
• silvester
• trimester
• ester
• esther
• fester

Kids Definition

semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈmes-tər 

: either of two terms of about 18 weeks each that make up a school year